Verdict: Saints 1 Ipswich 1

Last updated : 01 March 2008 By Chris C
Line-ups

Injuries dictated much of the line-up with Surman and Pearce unavailable. Despite some good individual performances in the back line, especially the marrauding Vignal, they still struggled as a unit nearly gifting Ipswich the game with some calamaties at the back.

Midfield was a gamble with a Burley-style four central midfielders playing, but by and large it worked for Pearson with only Idiakez's lack of pace and Viafara's passing proving the weak spots.

Despite the new line-up, they looked much more organised after a good week's training with the midfield hunting down the ball in packs to get the better of their Ipswich counterparts for much of the game.

Up front John held up the ball well, but suffered through Saganowski's inability to retain it, despite the Pole working the channels well.

Verdict

Normally a draw at home after taking the lead would be viewed as a bad result, but in truth the performance was by far the biggest plus of a day when the battling spirit of Saints sides of old showed signs of returning.

The quiet around the ground after we scored in an otherwise excellent atmosphere was a sign that few expected us to retain the lead and so it proved with Saints missing several chances to clear the ball before the goal. Indeed the players looked uncertain at what to do, slowing down play and booting the ball long until Ipswich equalised.

It was typical of our luck that former Saints target David Norris scored the goal and showed us just what we missed out on with his counterpart Viafara displaying the polar opposite of his clinical finishing.

Despite Saints having the better of much of the play after a slow start, our defensive uncertainity nearly gifted Ipswich the game and they could, and perhaps should, have won it with a three on one at the death with Haynes showing his inexperience and fluffing the chance.

Nigel Pearson deserves huge praise for getting the side motivated and seemingly fitter and we have to hope that today's performance builds confidence for the tough battles ahead with the next three out of four games away from home.

The crowd have been desperate for something to cheer and the players certainly provided that, none more so than the rejuvenated Vignal and forgotten man Licka who tormented the Ipswich right flank with their movement and industry.

For the first time in a very long time I can actually say that I enjoyed watching Saints, a view shared by many of the Saints fans I talked to, and we can only hope that today Saints have finally turned the corner after hitting rock bottom in the cup defeat to Bristol.

A win would be nice now.